John W. Farrand Photography Blog

One of the greatest parts of being a lifestyle and wedding photographer, is that you really get to know your clients better than probably any other genre of photography.  A lot of times, you get to become friends of the people you shoot.  The very nature of “lifestyle” portraiture depends on a different interaction between the photographer and client than just posing and shooting.  That’s even more true shooting a Disneyland lifestyle engagement or family session.

Jeremy and Michelle have become good friends of ours, and excellent Disneyland companions!  So after shooting their engagement session in Disneyland, and their wedding (which sadly was NOT in Disneyland), we jumped at the chance to do a maternity session there.  We also knew that this wouldn’t be a “normal” maternity shoot.  :)  We just wanted to show how much they love each other, and how much fun they have together.  I think you can see that in these.

Thanks again Eurtos… and little Jude Michael…  We can’t wait to meet you!

What an experience this was!  At work last week, Tivon pulled Melissa aside and said, “I’ve been dying to tell SOMEONE!”

He pulled out the ring box, opened it and said, “I’m going to propose to Brandi this weekend!  Is there ANY way you guys can make it down?”

Well, lets see… Disneyland, engage…. of forget the reasons!  Of course we’ll be there!!  “We’ll find a way!”  Melissa told him excitedly, after catching her breath.

So here we have it, two amazing people who have chosen to spend their lives together… AND they’re planning an amazing wedding in a special place, but I won’t share that here just yet.  We’ll probably do an official engagement session soon with these two, but wow!  What an emotionally exciting day this was!!

Tivon told us as we were getting on the Carousel that he was going to do it, Melissa and I both experienced small heart stoppages.  We were excited and nervous for him, and didn’t want to spoil it with our excitement.  We tested our best poker faces.  Apparently it worked, because Brandi had no idea!  If you look at the third picture down, you’ll notice Tivon pulling the box out of his Chewbacca backpack, then “counting down” with his fingers behind his back (I only got “two” sadly).  After he opens the ring box to Brandi, she didn’t notice at first.

I love the last picture.. I was walking behind them, and Tivon just raised his arm winningly.

Thank you Tivon and Brandi for letting us be apart of this special moment in your lives, it was definitely special to us.  We are honored.

Architecture is something I’ve admired for most of my life.  When I was first learning the basics of photography, shooting buildings and rooms and furniture was what I started with.  Well, rooms and dogs, but the dogs are a different story.  When I shot film, every shot had to count.  I’ve always had a passion for graphic design, and specifically visual balance.  So when you’re not looking to waste your precious frames of celluloid, you wait for that shot to happen.  The best way for me to find or create balance in photographs was to shoot buildings, and just wait for what I wanted to see.

I got connected with some from Kaiser Bakersfield, who needed Architectural Photos of all the locations in town.  We shot all 9 locations in one exhausting, but therapeutic Saturday afternoon, so no people!

This turned out to be amazingly fun for me.  It took me back to my basics, and I wanted to share some of these with you.  Who knew Architectural Photography would be therapeutic?  Now, I might just need to take some pictures of dogs.

In the past, I’ve been reluctant to show some of the other projects I work on, but I’ve decided it should be fun to show some of my other work on here.

This particular shoot came up by chance, as do a lot of projects/interests in life.  :)  David Balderas is the lead singer of “Houdini Logic,” a local heavy metal band here in Bakersfield.  One of the nicest, funniest guys I’ve met!  I’ve known him personally for a little while now, and he asked me if I’ve ever shot a band.  “Well.. not really, but I’m game if you are!”

So this is what we came up with.. enjoy!

I may be showing a few more “personal projects” from now on, just so people might know what else we’ve been up to.

Melissa and I have loved our recent photo sessions in Disneyland.  I always get a little nervous before an engagement session though.  As a photographer, the engagement session is your first opportunity to actually *work* together with your clients after your first interactions and meeting.  It’s kind of like a second date.. and when the first [date] goes so well.. the bar is set high!  Especially when that second date is Disneyland!

Well, only 5 minutes into us meeting in California Adventure, I knew I had nothing to worry about with these two.  What fun they were to shoot!  We hit it off immediately and we hit the ground running, literally!  We were running against the sun, as it didn’t want to hang around long.  Eventually a bank of clouds rolled in right before sunset, but we did find some great locations to take advantage of the sun as it peeked through.

These two had so much fun, and Daniel really knows how to bring out the joy in Serena, as you can see in this set.  We were all laughing and having a blast together.  Thank you Daniel and Serena for the fun time, and we are ecstatic about your Bakersfield wedding in October!

What a fun day!  Once you glance through the pictures, you’ll see what I’m talking about.

I’ve known Jeff for a few years now, as we used to work together in TV.  I may not be there anymore, but Jeff is still producing greatness!

Speaking of greatness!!  What a great day this was!  Melissa and I were honored to be asked to shoot some family photos in Disneyland.  If anyone reading this knows us, the answer to this question was “Um, Yes!”  The Lenk’s were celebrating Madeline’s 2nd birthday, and we were lucky to tag along.

For some time now, I’ve been curious how I would end up shooting a family session inside Disneyland.  My predominant style of shooting is a “lifestyle” approach, and hoped that I could give the them (or anyone else) something they could cherish for many years.  When we go to Disneyland we see cameras everywhere.  EVERYWHERE.  With this session, I really wanted to try to produce images that were taken in familiar places, but maybe in a way people haven’t seen before.  I was really anxious for the challenge of shooting this sweet family at our favorite hangout!

I hope anyone finding this page will enjoy the pictures, because they make me happy too!  I think what I enjoy most about them, is seeing that sweet bond between brother and sister in these.  I love the honesty kids show and live.

Thanks Madeline for letting us be a part of your day, and life!!

I think it’d been around 10 years since I last saw Gaby.  At that time, I was studying photography at Cal State Northridge.  Through the years, Gaby has been a great supporter of my work.  So it was really fun to catch up with an old friend to take some photos of her and her awesome fiancee Chris, in sweet Santa Barbara!

I can’t believe I’ve never visited this great town.  For those of you who have been to Santa Barbara, know what I’m talking about.. It’s just cool there!  :) If you haven’t been, and are capable of visiting… do it!

Gaby and Chris plan on having their wedding in October of this year, and we CAN’T WAIT to be a part of that!

Well, enough from me.. enjoy these sweet pictures of two really cool people, in a cool town.  It’s just too bad that my pictures weren’t able to capture Chris’ Australian accent!

CHEERS!

btw.. That out of focus picture is actually where their wedding will be!  We got to see it in action.. so cool!  I just left that in as a tease.  :)

Melissa and I are blessed to work for an organization in town that actually lives up to it’s motto(s).  There are several mottos and titles actually, but probably the most important, all-inclusive title for Covenant Community Services is “HQ of Hope.”  We get to see this come true everyday with the former foster youth who walk through the doors, who have little hope to succeed in life, but with the help of the “Transitional Housing Program,” they are able to find real help, guidance and hope for their lives.

Without saying more about the program I wanted to share a truly special day that Melissa and I were lucky to be a part of.  One of the success stories from Covenant, David Anderson and his [now wife] Veronica were able to have a small wedding on 12-12-12 at the Mill Creek Linear Park in Downtown Bakersfield, CA.  They still plan on having their big wedding next year, but how cool to have that date as your anniversary?

Early in the afternoon, I said to David, “So, this is a big day for you?” (Profound, I know.)

“Yeah, I never thought I’d be getting married…”  David responded with a gentle smile.  “It’s a good day.”

The overcast skies didn’t even matter to anyone in attendance.

Here are a few pictures from the day and at the bottom, I’ve posted David’s story that I edited a few months ago.  Considering his story, I’d agree with him…

12-12-12 was a good day.

These two beautiful people, along with their families, made us feel so welcome during their special day.

We had an absolute blast shooting this wedding.  From the R2D2 groom cake, to Michelle’s response speech to her Maid of Honor toast (“First of all… “), I found and continue to find myself amused by these bright lights we get to now call our friends.  We found perfect Disneylanders too!  You can see that here.  :)

Thank you Jeremy and Michelle.  We can’t wait to see where life takes you guys, and let us know about babies!

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This wedding was so beautiful.  We noticed spectacular planning by the amazing Tracey Buys of Attention to Detail.  Looking back, Melissa and I wish we could have used Tracey for our wedding.  She is dynamite.  If you’re getting married, look her up!

Emceeing the evening was Kyle Brown of Good Time Entertainment, who was exceptionally helpful to us.

What can be said about the Bell Tower Club?  Amy and the entire staff were a delight to work with.  I just remember thinking, “This is a classy joint!”

And, as always I want to thank our awesome 2nd shooter Laura Tavarez!

Here is a sampling from the day:

I always like to set up the photo booth right off of the dance floor.  People love to get crazy when they’re dancing, and get their picture taken!!  Even at the Bell Tower Club!  I’ll post more from this blast of a wedding soon!  For now though, enjoy the craziness!   Jeremy and Michelle, we LOVED your wedding!  Thanks again.

Head to the ordering gallery to see more photos!